What's with the perfect eating weather that has fallen upon us? This chilly air makes me want to kick the oven on and bake something. I'm not up to braising yet, don't be silly, but as soon as those colors start busting, I'm all about short ribs. This Fresh Forkin' Friday is dedicated to the first weekend of fall festivals, which are way more civilized than summer fests. I think it's the bikini top vs. fleece factor.

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As far as openings, nothing much really happened this last week, what with all the GOP ballyhoo. But next week, the latest David Fhima venture will open in the Minneapolis Life Time. It will be the second location of Zahtar, the Med-American restaurant they debuted at the Eden Prairie Life Time a year or so ago. Not being a member of Life Time, I never got there, but the website sure is pretty.

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A friend of mine went to Bedlam Theater's production of The Cooking Show Con Mero Cocinero Karimi and said it was a scream! Cooking up food and stories on stage, the culinary comrades encourage you to come early for a happy hour. Essential: BYOB (bing your own bowl). This is the last weekend, so get on board.

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Finally, the festing this weekend is fun and far-reaching: Hinckley's Smokin Rib Fest is this Saturday. On one side of Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior is throwing its fall opener, Apple Day. On the other side, Wayzata will be celebrating James J. Hill Days. Both should have cheese curds, brats, and funnel cakes to jack your post-fair jones. It's the Apple Orchard Opener at Minnetonka Orchards; apparently the Zestar is ready to be picked, the corn maze is ready to be trampled, and the cider brats are on the grill. Get up to Ely for its 15th Annual Harvest Moon Festival, and learn how to cook serious vittles over a campfire. Vintage tractor rides, soap box derby, and free watermelon after the parade at the Kellogg Watermelon Fest. Yes, Lucy, it's the 2008 Grape Stomp at the St. Croix Vineyards this weekend.

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And if you feel like chattin', I'll be on with Stephanie Hansen on FM107.1 from 1-3 p.m. today!